Customer Reviews

The Candlestone (Dragons in Our Midst, Book 2)

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Since the discovery of his dragon heritage, Billy Banister and fellow dragon Bonnie Silver have been on the run from a dangerous sect of dragon slayers who will stop at nothing to destroy them. Both are adjusting to their new life; Bonnie is looking forward to being adopted by the Foley family and Billy is training in hand-to-hand combat, preparing for another encounter with dragon slayers.

However, things take an unexpected twist when Bonnie's dad, a sort of mad scientist, shows up and announces that her mother is still alive. While having serious misgivings, Bonnie agrees to go with him to a secret lab in Montana in an attempt to help her mother.

I love the Dragons in out Midst books, they are so good. They have dragons, knight, sword-to-sword battles, and fair maidens in need of rescuing. I haven't been able to find many Christian fantasy series but this one is definitely worth reading.

You must read this book if you love good fantasy...well, if you've read the first one, Raising Dragons. If not, go get it.

Bryan Davis continues his story of the growth and education of Billy, Bonnie, and all the others in their little band as they quest to understand a prophecy that seems to involve all of them. This is a story about family, about faith, about honor, and a thousand other good virtues that seem to be forgotten as we move further in time. If I had children, I would read this to them. I hope you will considering doing the same.

If you thought Bryan Davis created a masterpiece in the first book, then this book will leave you shaking your head in awe. And I'll tell you many reasons for that in my next review.

In this blurb however, I want to credit Mr. Davis with creating a spiritually marvelous and uplifting novel. Yes, it was a page turner (up until 4:00 and 2:00 am on successive nights), yes the writing gets tighter and the characters deeper. But the biggest impact that The Candlestone had on me was spiritually.

I'm guessing we all have moments in time when we are spiritually at a low ebb. Ironically, Christmas day was one of those low points for me. I was toast. However, during the course of reading The Candlestone I couldn't help but be re-energized by the very same power and Spirit that are the source of strength for young Bonnie, The Professor and Billy.

Yes, the book is far more "Christian" than the previous book, but it turned out great for this old boy that it was so. The reliance of the characters in scripture and on the basic principles of foundational Christian doctrine helped to remind me of the foundations of my own faith. There was enough scripture (without constant Bible references) and enough power in the "imagined" prayers - though I'm sure that large parts of those prayers are prayed every day somewhere by someone - that the prose sparked my own faith and continued to bring my mind back to my Savior and his wonderful love.

Yah. I know it sounds sappy. Kind of odd for a guy who typically likes stuff that has an edgier feel and characters that have rapier wit, but there are certainly some days when truth does far more for the weary soul than just good writing alone. Great job Bryan.

One last comment. There's a lass that left her opinion (which she has the right to do) regarding this book and series being occultic or involving sorcery. I think she missed the point. And in fact, I'm not sure she could have read the entire book with it's references to Christ and still come to that conclusion. I will share that my opinion - as a Christian for 22 years, a youth leader, worship leader, outreach ministry head and children's and adult Sunday school teacher - is that Mr. Davis has done a great job of reshaping a legend and imbuing it with a sense of the scared and supernatural without making it hokey, trite and obvious. Quite refreshing indeed.

But you know what? Don't just believe me, experience The Candlestone yourself and then let me know what time you were up until ;-)

The first book in this series, "Raising Dragons," I finished in a night and an afternoon. "The Candlestone," however, I finished in a day. Faced-paced and exciting, I couldn't put it down. Bryan Davis is truly a masterful storyteller.

All though written for the upper elemetary grades and young adults, these books are are deep enough for adults as well. They are touching and full of spiritual truth. I anxiously await "Circles of Seven," the third book in series.

Highly recommended.

Though RAISING DRAGONS was perhaps a bit of a predictable read, the CANDLESTONE jumped right out at me, and pulled me into the series. From start to finish, things continued lining up from the first book and slowly became even more unpredictable than I've ever expected to see from any author.

It's well written, smooth and with a clarity that makes one KNOW the characters, this is a book that any fan of good, clean fantasy should not skip out on. Particularly if you're looking for something that's just a bit different from the typical, just a bit extreme enough to be readable, and just creative enough to border on cutting edge vs the everyday fantasy heroes.

RAISING DRAGONS introduced us to a whole new world in Christian fiction - a place where myth and legend could easily coexist with the Bible and God. The first book also gave us interesting characters and glimpses into mysteries to be unfolded. Two of those mysteries circled around two fabled objects: the candlestone and the sword Excalibur, and in book #2, THE CANDLESTONE, both of these mysteries are thoroughly explored.

This time around, Bonnie is about to be adopted by Walter's family, Billy is struggling with the new form of his father, and Professor Hamilton has come to tutor the three students. But then Bonnie's father shows up, telling his daughter that her mother is still alive and wants Bonnie to come be with her. Dr. Connor whisks Bonnie away, and Billy and company soon follow, concerned for her safety. When Bonnie and her father arrive at their destination, Bonnie finds she must go into the candlestone, a gem that has trapped the life force of her mother inside.

THE CANDLESTONE expands greatly on RAISING DRAGONS, keeping the same characters consistent and developing. However, this book is not completely without some flaws. The first chapter sags a little into "boring", and the ending is almost predictable. But don't worry - get past the first chapter, and get through what SEEMS like a predictable ending, and there are definitely a few surprises to be had at the end of this second installment. Again, Billy and Walter share some painfully cheesy lines, and every once and a while Davis' writing is trying to be much too flowery for its own good.

Definitely check this one out, as the plot is something so completely original, and definitely equal in greatness to RAISING DRAGONS.

Bryan Davis yet again creates an awesome book! Fast-paced, exciting, poetic, with just the right mix of sacred and sillyness. This is most definently a Christian book, blending messages of hope and redemption in the midst of the troubles of life. An awesome read for pre-teens/teens who like christian fantasy, or those who just love a marvelous adventure. Bryan Davis should be commended for not leaving the fantasy genre to the pagans, but like other Christian authors before him, taking the time to create another world/reflection not so very different from our own. If you haven't gotten the first book (Raising Dragons), be sure to buy both at once-- you won't want to stop after just one!

I picked out Raising Dragons to read aloud w/my 10 year old son believing all 3 books in the trilogy had already been published. We pre-ordered the second book & waited eagerly for its shipment. We have both enjoyed, been surprised, been in suspense & been thrilled with the adventures of Billy, Bonnie, Walter & the professor. Bryan Davis's prose & poetry flow more smoothly in The Candlestone than in the first book. I commend him for creating heroes & heroines to deal with truly evil bad guys. He identifies the bad as bad & does so with a level of wisdom & sophistication I think his younger audience can appreciate & grow through.

The Candlestone is one of the most profound, helpful, spiritually giuding, and wonderful books I have ever read. Brian Davis brilliantly weaves together fantasy, history, and christian faith. It is even better than Raising Dragons. I could really connect with Bonnie because at the time I was reading it I was going through some spiritual conflict too. I think that this book would be helpful even to grown-ups. Go buy(or borrow) one today, now, pronto!!!

The entire series of Dragons in our Midst is the best series that I have ever read. The Candlestone improves on its prequel, Raising Dragons, with more adventure and action than the first book. If you are considering buying this book, then do buy it, along with all the rest of the series. Be sure to read it.